The new church is starting to gather some momentum — to “get its feet under it,” so to speak. We’re in the process of recruiting and evaluating leadership, both in people and in policy. We are striving to start with the strongest leaders possible. The leaders will define the church’s mission, will defend the church’s mission, and will reproduce to carry the church’s mission to the field. Those who desire to be leaders “desire a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). However, there is a test in the end. . .

The last thing we want is to start gathering large groups of people before we have the church’s vision and mission — and leadership structure — well defined. Moreover, we need to decide what things are “doctrine” — that is, those things which are distinct to us, but might be a little different from other true Christian churches; and those things which are “dogma” — that is, those things that are true of any Christian church, lest they even be Christian in the first place.

You are welcome to post your thoughts on what might constitute doctrine and dogma — these always make for a lively discussion. In the next month or so, we hope to have the details ironed out for the new church. We’ll be using scripture as our guide, and the Holy Spirit as our conscience. Yes, there will be a test indeed. . .